Mark Roberts (footballer, born 1983)
{{Short description|English association football player (born 1983)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2018}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Mark Roberts
| image = Mark Roberts 3.png
| image_size = 175
| caption = Roberts playing for Stevenage Borough in the 2009 FA Trophy final
| fullname = Mark Alan Roberts{{Cite book
| editor-first = Barry J.
| editor-last = Hugman
| title = The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2008–09
| year = 2008
| publisher = Mainstream Publishing
| isbn = 978-1-84596-324-8
| page = 356}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1983|10|16|df=y}}
| birth_place = Northwich, England
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=1}}
| position = Defender
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = 2000–2003
| youthclubs1 = Crewe Alexandra
| years1 = 2003–2007
| years2 = 2003–2004
| years3 = 2004
| years4 = 2005–2006
| years5 = 2006
| years6 = 2006
| years7 = 2006–2007
| years8 = 2007
| years9 = 2007
| years10 = 2007–2008
| years11 = 2008
| years12 = 2008–2009
| years13 = 2008
| years14 = 2009–2013
| years15 = 2013–2015
| years16 = 2015–2017
| years17 = 2017–2018
| years18 = 2018–2022
| clubs1 = Crewe Alexandra
| clubs2 = → Leek Town (loan)
| clubs3 = → Vauxhall Motors (loan)
| clubs4 = → Southport (loan)
| clubs5 = → Chester City (loan)
| clubs6 = → Southport (loan)
| clubs7 = → Halifax Town (loan)
| clubs8 = → Northwich Victoria (loan)
| clubs9 = Northwich Victoria
| clubs10 = Accrington Stanley
| clubs11 = → Northwich Victoria (loan)
| clubs12 = Northwich Victoria
| clubs13 = → Stevenage Borough (loan)
| clubs14 = Stevenage
| clubs15 = Fleetwood Town
| clubs16 = Cambridge United
| clubs17 = Forest Green Rovers
| clubs18 = Warrington Town
| caps1 = 5
| caps2 = 10
| caps3 = 19
| caps4 = 6
| caps5 = 1
| caps6 = 14
| caps7 = 13
| caps8 = 3
| caps9 = 20
| caps10 = 34
| caps11 = 9
| caps12 = 20
| caps13 = 6
| caps14 = 191
| caps15 = 60
| caps16 = 57
| caps17 = 14
| caps18 = 119
| goals1 = 0
| goals2 = 2
| goals3 = 3
| goals4 = 0
| goals5 = 0
| goals6 = 0
| goals7 = 1
| goals8 = 0
| goals9 = 1
| goals10 = 0
| goals11 = 1
| goals12 = 1
| goals13 = 0
| goals14 = 20
| goals15 = 6
| goals16 = 4
| goals17 = 0
| goals18 = 8
| totalcaps = 575
| totalgoals = 46
| manageryears1 = 2012
| managerclubs1 = Stevenage (caretaker)
| manageryears2 = 2013
| managerclubs2 = Stevenage (caretaker)
| club-update = 22:39, 9 August 2022 (UTC)
}}
Mark Alan Roberts (born 16 October 1983) is an English former professional footballer who played as a defender.
Roberts started his career at Crewe Alexandra at the age of 11, and progressed through the club's academy; signing a professional contract at the age of 19. He played six times during his seven years for Crewe's first team, and was sent out on loan six times during his spell at the club. Following a loan spell at his hometown club, Northwich Victoria, he joined the club on a permanent basis in 2007. Roberts played 20 games for the Cheshire club during the second half of the 2006–07 season, before returning to the Football League with Accrington Stanley in summer 2007. He played 37 games for the club, before being loaned back to Northwich Victoria, a move which was later made permanent.
During the 2008–09 season, Roberts joined Stevenage on an initial one-month loan agreement, before signing permanently in January 2009 for an undisclosed fee. That season, he was part of the team that won the FA Trophy in May 2009. Roberts was made team captain ahead of the 2009–10 season, a season in which Roberts would help lead the team to the Football League for the first time in the club's history. The following season, the club earned back-to-back promotions following their sixth-place finish and subsequent League Two play-off victory in May 2011. He also spent two spells as caretaker manager of the club, once in January 2012 and again in March 2013.
After a successful four-and-a-half-year spell at Stevenage, Roberts joined Fleetwood Town on a free transfer in July 2013. He captained Fleetwood to promotion via the play-offs during his first season with the club. After two seasons at Fleetwood, Roberts joined League Two club Cambridge United in May 2015, where he spent two seasons. He subsequently spent the 2017–18 season at fellow League Two club Forest Green Rovers, before signing for Warrington Town of the Northern Premier League in August 2018. Roberts captained Warrington as they won the Northern Premier League play-offs in his first season there, although the club would ultimately be defeated in the step three super play-off final. He made 144 appearances over four years at Warrington, before announcing his retirement from playing in June 2022.
Early life
Born in Northwich, Cheshire, Roberts also grew up in Cheshire. He was a season ticket holder at Old Trafford during his childhood years, where he sat in the Stretford End supporting Manchester United.{{cite news
| title = Boro always believed in play-off dream says Robbo
| url = http://www.thecomet.net/stevenage-fc/boro_always_believed_in_play_off_dream_says_robbo_1_905018
|newspaper=The Comet |location=Stevenage
| date = 26 May 2011
| access-date = 26 May 2011}} Roberts started playing football for his local team Northwich Town at the age of seven.{{cite news
| title = Mark Roberts announces retirement
| url = https://www.warringtontownfc.co.uk/mark-roberts-announces-retirement/
| publisher = Warrington Town F.C.
| date = 20 June 2022
| access-date = 9 August 2022}}
Career
=Early career=
Roberts signed for Crewe Alexandra at the age of 11. After progressing through the club's academy, he signed a professional contract with the club on 6 July 2003 at the age of 19.{{Cite book
| title = Stevenage Borough v Tamworth matchday programme
| publisher = Stevenage F.C.
| year = 2009
| page = 16 }} Roberts signed for Northern Premier League Division One club Leek Town on a two-month loan agreement in November 2003.{{cite news
| title = Leek Town – Fixtures & Results – 2003/04
| url = https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/leektown/a/the-ltfc-archive--summary-by-season-50142.html?page=17
| publisher = Leek Town F.C.
| access-date = 3 January 2021}} He made his debut in the club's 3–1 victory against Lincoln United on 22 November 2003. Roberts scored his first goal in senior football in Leek's 2–1 home defeat to Kidsgrove Athletic on 26 December 2003. He played 10 times during the loan spell, scoring two goals. A week after returning to Crewe from his loan spell at Leek, Roberts was loaned out once again, this time joining Vauxhall Motors of the Northern Premier League Premier Division. He made his debut in a 3–2 victory at home to Southport on 31 January 2004.{{Cite news
| title = Motormen Break Their League Duck; Vauxhall Motors .......3 Southport .......2
| url = https://www.questia.com/library/1G1-112900978/motormen-break-their-league-duck-vauxhall-motors
| archive-url = https://archive.today/20130722120031/http://www.questia.com/library/1G1-112900978/motormen-break-their-league-duck-vauxhall-motors
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = 22 July 2013
| newspaper = Daily Post (Liverpool)
| date = 3 February 2004}} He made 19 appearances during the loan agreement, scoring three goals.
After playing his first full 90 minutes for Crewe in a 2–1 pre-season friendly victory against Everton, Crewe assistant manager, Neil Baker, stated "Mark's a player that I felt could bridge the gap, having worked with him more than the other coaches. The way he coped should give him the belief to go on now."{{Cite news
| title = Roberts gets Baker backing
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/crewe_alexandra/3917231.stm
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 22 July 2004
| access-date = 12 August 2009}} Roberts made his Crewe debut on 21 September 2004, starting in a League Cup match against Sunderland, a game that Crewe won 4–2 in a penalty shoot-out after playing out a 3–3 draw after extra time.{{Cite news
| title = Crewe 3–3 Sunderland
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/3655978.stm
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 21 September 2004
| access-date = 12 August 2009}} He made his Football League debut for Crewe in a 1–0 defeat at Preston North End on 25 September 2004,{{Cite news
| title = Preston 1–0 Crewe
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/3656486.stm
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 25 September 2004
| access-date = 12 August 2009}} and made five more appearances before his run in the first team was curtailed by injury.{{Soccerbase season|38710|2004|name=Mark Roberts|access-date=7 September 2021}}
Having been unable to establish himself as a regular in the Crewe first team, Roberts joined Conference National club Southport on loan.{{Cite news
| title = Southport add Roberts to roster
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/southport/4463574.stm
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 23 November 2005
| access-date = 12 August 2009}} Roberts made his Southport debut in a 4–0 away defeat to Accrington Stanley on 26 November 2005.{{Soccerbase season|38710|2005|name=Mark Roberts|access-date=7 September 2021}}{{Cite news
| title = Accrington 4–0 Southport
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/4448938.stm
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 26 November 2005
| access-date = 22 July 2010}} He played six games for Southport, before joining Chester City on a one-month loan agreement.{{Cite news
| title = Chester boss signs defensive trio
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chester/4650822.stm
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 1 February 2006
| access-date = 12 August 2009}} Roberts started one game for Chester in a 5–0 defeat at Carlisle United,{{Cite news
| title = Carlisle 5–0 Chester
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/4657172.stm
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 4 February 2006
| access-date = 12 August 2009}} and did not play again for the Cheshire club subsequent to this match. Roberts was loaned out to Southport for a second time in March 2006,{{Cite news
| title = Roberts set for Southport return
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/southport/4762360.stm
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 1 March 2006
| access-date = 23 July 2010}} making his second debut for the club in a 2–1 victory away to Forest Green Rovers, in which he was sent off in the 88th-minute for two bookable offences.{{Cite news
| title = Forest Green 1–2 Southport
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/4773638.stm
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 11 March 2006
| access-date = 23 July 2010}} He played 12 times during his second loan spell at the club.{{Cite news
| title = Southport 0–1 Aldershot
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/4933642.stm
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 21 March 2006
| access-date = 23 July 2010}} Despite still being under contract at Crewe, Roberts had not made a first-team appearance for the club since 2004 and was again loaned out ahead of the 2006–07 season, this time to Conference National club Halifax Town.{{Soccerbase season|38710|2006|name=Mark Roberts|access-date=7 September 2021}}{{Cite news
| title = Crewe defender loaned to Shaymen
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/halifax_town/5252374.stm
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 7 August 2006
| access-date = 12 August 2009}} He played his first game for Halifax in the club's first game of the 2006–07 season, starting in a 2–0 away defeat to Oxford United. He scored his first goal for Halifax in a 2–1 victory over Cambridge United, the first goal of the game. Roberts played 13 matches for Halifax, scoring once, before his loan agreement concluded.{{Cite news
| title = Halifax snap up Trotman on loan
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/halifax_town/6230573.stm
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 4 January 2007
| access-date = 12 August 2009}}
File:Mark Roberts 2.png in 2008]]
Roberts joined his hometown club Northwich Victoria on another loan deal on 3 January 2007.{{Cite news
| title = Northwich sign defender on loan
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/northwich_victoria/6228097.stm
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 3 January 2007
| access-date = 12 August 2009}} He debuted for Northwich in a 3–1 away victory at St Albans City at Clarence Park, and after playing in three matches, signed for the club on a permanent basis.{{Cite news
| title = Crewe sign Woodards from Exeter
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/crewe_alexandra/6319007.stm
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 31 January 2007
| access-date = 12 August 2009}} He played regularly during the second half of the 2006–07 season, which saw an up-turn in form for Northwich.{{Cite news
| title = Northwich 2006/2007 results and fixtures
| url = http://www.soccerbase.com/results2.sd?teamid=1895
| publisher = Soccerbase
| access-date = 19 August 2010}} Roberts returned to the Football League with Accrington Stanley on 3 July 2007, joining the club for a fee set by a tribunal.{{Cite news
| title = Accrington snap up Vics defender
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/accrington_stanley/6264520.stm
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 3 July 2007
| access-date = 12 August 2009}} He started the first 30 games for the League Two club, whilst playing in a further three as a substitute.{{Soccerbase season|38710|2007|name=Mark Roberts|access-date=7 September 2021}} He returned to Northwich Victoria on loan on 28 March 2008, on a one-month agreement{{Cite news
| title = Northwich land Stanley loan pair
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/northwich_victoria/7318534.stm
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 28 March 2008
| access-date = 12 August 2009}} and helped the club to Conference Premier safety towards the end of the season, scoring his only goal in a match against fellow relegation candidates Stafford Rangers on 5 April 2008.{{Cite news
| title = Northwich 4–3 Stafford Rangers
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/7320320.stm
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 5 April 2008
| access-date = 12 August 2009}} He played nine times during the loan spell. Roberts re-joined Northwich on a permanent deal after his loan spell.{{Cite news
| title = Mark Roberts – All time playing career
| url = https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=38710
| publisher = Soccerbase
| access-date = 19 August 2010}} During the 2008–09 season, Roberts continued to play regularly in the centre of Northwich's defence, scoring once in a 3–2 home defeat against Weymouth in September 2008.{{Soccerbase season|38710|2008|name=Mark Roberts|access-date=7 September 2021}}{{Cite news
| title = Northwich 2–3 Weymouth
| url = http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=573505
| publisher = Soccerbase
| access-date = 23 July 2010}} He made 20 appearances for Northwich during the first three months of the season.
=Stevenage=
File:Mark Roberts York City v. Stevenage Borough 03-10-09.png in 2009]]
Roberts started for Northwich in a 1–1 draw at Broadhall Way in a match between Northwich and Stevenage Borough on 15 November 2008,{{Cite news
| title = Stevenage 1–1 Northwich Victoria
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/7713968.stm
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 15 November 2008
| access-date = 12 August 2009}} and he subsequently joined the Hertfordshire club on loan a week after the match.{{cite news
| title = Stevenage secure triple loan deal
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stevenage/7753487.stm
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 28 November 2008
| access-date = 24 October 2010}} After impressing Stevenage manager Graham Westley during his one-month loan agreement, Roberts signed for the club on a permanent basis. He scored his first Stevenage goal in a 2–0 FA Trophy victory away to Farnborough on 14 January 2009.{{Cite news
| title = Farnborough 0–2 Stevenage
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/7828657.stm
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 14 January 2009
| access-date = 12 August 2009}} Roberts scored his first league goal for the club in a 2–1 victory away to Altrincham on 28 February 2009, scoring a stoppage time goal to give Stevenage the victory at Moss Lane.{{Cite news
| title = Altrincham 1–2 Stevenage
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/7905755.stm
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 28 February 2009
| access-date = 23 July 2010}} Roberts continued to play regularly as Stevenage made the play-offs as a result of finishing in the final play-off place. He scored in the semi-final first leg against Cambridge United, with a header from Steve Morison's ball across goal, as Stevenage would go on to lose 4–3 on aggregate over the two legs.{{Cite news
| title = Stevenage 3–1 Cambridge United
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8020423.stm
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 30 April 2009
| access-date = 22 July 2010}}{{Cite news
| title = Boro's Roberts eyes Trophy solace
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8036407.stm
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 5 May 2009
| access-date = 20 August 2009}} Roberts was awarded Stevenage's Player of the Year at the end of the season.{{Cite news
| title = 2008–2009 Player of the Year – Mark Roberts
| url = http://www.sfcsa.co.uk/home/player-of-the-year/previous-winners/2008-2009
| publisher = Stevenage Supporters' association
| date = 3 May 2009
| access-date = 12 August 2009}} He also started in all seven of the club's FA Trophy run during that season, scoring twice and playing in the team's 2–0 victory against York City in the final on 9 May 2009.{{Cite news
| title = Stevenage 2–0 York
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8036407.stm
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 9 May 2009
| access-date = 12 August 2009}} In May 2009, Roberts was named as Stevenage team captain for the 2009–10 season.{{Cite news
| title = Roberts is new Stevenage captain
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stevenage/8062008.stm
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 21 May 2009
| access-date = 23 July 2010}} On Roberts' appointment as captain, Westley stated "Roberts is a natural leader who leads in the best way – by example. He is the obvious choice."
{{Quote box | width=30% | align=left | quote= "It was important to get the championship in the bag, now we can enjoy it. Obviously we have worked so hard to achieve this. No-one will probably ever know how hard we have worked and every one of the lads deserves a pat on the back." |source= Captain Mark Roberts, on Stevenage securing promotion to the Football League in April 2010.{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stevenage/8630986.stm|title=I'm pleased for Stevenage Borough fans – Wallace |website=BBC Sport |date= 20 April 2010 |access-date= 20 April 2010}} }}
Roberts scored his first goal of the 2009–10 season on his 50th appearance for the club, giving Stevenage the lead in a 3–1 victory against Salisbury City on 17 October 2009.{{Soccerbase season|38710|2009|name=Mark Roberts|access-date=7 September 2021}}{{Cite news
| title = Stevenage Borough 3–1 Salisbury City
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8295794.stm
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 17 October 2009
| access-date = 20 October 2009}} He captained the team in their 2–0 victory against Kidderminster Harriers at Aggborough on 17 April 2010; the match that secured promotion to the Football League for the first time in the club's history.{{Cite news
| title = Kidderminster 0–2 Stevenage
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8618329.stm
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 17 April 2010
| access-date = 17 April 2010}} Roberts played 49 times during the season, scoring five times from defence. He was also named as the Conference Premier Player of the Month for April 2010.{{Cite news|title=Roberts scoops April award |url=http://www.confguide.com/Teams/Story/0,21423,5891_6162520,00.html |publisher=Conference Guide |date=22 May 2010 |access-date=22 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723121659/http://www.confguide.com/Teams/Story/0%2C21423%2C5891_6162520%2C00.html |archive-date=23 July 2011 }} During the season, Roberts formed a centre-back partnership with Jon Ashton, with Stevenage having the best defensive record in the league, conceding 24 goals in 46 league matches.{{Cite news
|title = English Conference Premier 2009–2010 : Table
|url = http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/conference-premier/2009-2010
|website = Statto.com
|access-date = 1 April 2013
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120924021943/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/conference-premier/2009-2010
|archive-date = 24 September 2012
|df = dmy-all
}} The team ended the season having not conceded in their last six games; and conceded two goals in their last 15 league matches.{{Cite news
| title = 2009/10 – Stevenage
| url = http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=2499&teamTabs=results
| website = Soccerbase
| access-date = 1 April 2013}} In May 2010, Roberts signed a new two-year contract with Stevenage. On signing the new deal, Roberts said "there was never any doubt that I wanted to stay here, I love the club and love the fans. It will be a privilege to lead the team in the Football League". At the Football Conference's Annual Presentation Dinner, he was named in the Team of the Year, alongside fellow Stevenage defenders Ronnie Henry and Scott Laird.{{cite news
|title = NGA Awards Results
|url = http://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/article.asp?aid=10682&iid=191&sud=1695
|newspaper=The Non-League Paper
|date = 4 June 2010
|access-date = 6 June 2010
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110717022254/http://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/article.asp?aid=10682&iid=191&sud=1695
|archive-date = 17 July 2011
|df = dmy-all
}}
{{Quote box | width=25% | align=right | quote= "I do not mind admitting that there were a few tears. In the dressing room afterwards there was a mixture of enjoyment and reflection on what we have achieved". |source= Roberts, on Stevenage earning back-to-back promotions after their 1–0 play-off final victory over Torquay United in May 2011.{{cite news
| title = Stevenage revel in their remarkable success
| url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/paulfletcher/2011/05/stevenage_revel_in_their_remar.html#291485
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 30 May 2011
| access-date = 30 May 2011}} }}
Roberts captained the team in the club's first match in the Football League at the beginning of the 2010–11 season, playing the whole game in a 2–2 home draw with Macclesfield Town.{{cite news
| title = Stevenage 2–2 Macclesfield Town
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/8842813.stm
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 7 August 2010
| access-date = 12 December 2010}} He scored his first goal of the season in Stevenage's 3–0 away victory at local rivals Barnet on 2 November 2010.{{Soccerbase season|38710|2010|name=Mark Roberts|access-date=7 September 2021}}{{cite news
| title = Barnet 0–3 Stevenage
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/9140585.stm
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 2 November 2010
| access-date = 12 December 2010}} He scored twice against Macclesfield Town on 26 March 2011, taking his goal tally for the season to five goals.{{cite news
| title = Macclesfield 0–4 Stevenage
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/12794314.stm
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 26 March 2011
| access-date = 26 March 2011}} He captained the team at Old Trafford for the final against Torquay United on 28 May 2011, playing the whole match in a 1–0 Stevenage victory.{{cite news
| title = Stevenage promoted to League One by beating Torquay
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13482198.stm
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 28 May 2011
| access-date = 28 May 2011}} This meant that Roberts had captained the club to back-to-back promotions, earning a place in League One for the first time in their history. Stevenage also had the best defensive record in League Two during the 2010–11 season, conceding 45 goals. That season, Stevenage progressed to the FA Cup fourth round, with Roberts playing in all five matches, including the club's 3–1 home victory against Premier League club Newcastle United.{{cite news
| title = Stevenage 3–1 Newcastle
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/9341905.stm
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 8 January 2011
| access-date = 1 April 2013}} Roberts made 52 appearances in all competitions throughout the season, scoring six times.
Roberts captained the team in their match in League One to start the 2011–12 season, a 0–0 draw against Exeter City on 6 August 2011.{{cite news
| title = Stevenage 0–0 Exeter
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/14352061.stm
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 6 August 2011
| access-date = 4 September 2011}} He signed a two-year contract extension with the club on 26 August 2011.{{cite news
|title = Roberts and Bostwick seal contract extensions
|url = http://www.stevenagefc.com/page/LatestNewsDetail/0,,10839~2433227,00.html
|publisher = Stevenage F.C.
|date = 26 August 2011
|access-date = 4 September 2011
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120612025632/http://www.stevenagefc.com/page/LatestNewsDetail/0,,10839~2433227,00.html
|archive-date = 12 June 2012
|df = dmy-all
}} Roberts scored a 20-yard volley in injury-time in a 2–2 Football League Trophy draw with AFC Wimbledon on 4 October 2011 to take the game to penalties, which Stevenage subsequently lost 4–3.{{Soccerbase season|38710|2011|name=Mark Roberts|access-date=7 September 2021}}{{cite news
|title=AFC Wimbledon 2–2 Stevenage FC
|url=http://www.stevenagefc.com/page/MatchReport/0,,10839~61110,00.html
|publisher=Stevenage F.C.
|date=4 October 2011
|access-date=5 October 2011
}}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He described the volley as "easily the best goal of his career".{{Cite book
| title = Stevenage v Charlton Athletic matchday programme
| publisher = Stevenage F.C.
| year = 2011
| page = 9 }} Following Graham Westley's departure to Preston North End on 13 January 2012, Roberts was made player-manager for Stevenage's away match to Rochdale on 14 January 2012,{{cite news
|title=Stevenage confirm Westley departure
|url=http://www.stevenagefc.com/page/LatestNewsDetail/0,,10839~2575845,00.html
|publisher=Stevenage F.C.
|date=13 January 2012
|access-date=13 January 2012
|url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120116023618/http://www.stevenagefc.com/page/LatestNewsDetail/0%2C%2C10839~2575845%2C00.html
|archive-date=16 January 2012
}} with the club securing a 5–1 victory at Spotland.{{cite news
| title = Rochdale 1–5 Stevenage
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16453609.stm
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 14 January 2012
| access-date = 14 January 2012}} He remained in the position for two further matches, a 1–1 draw at Scunthorpe United,{{cite news
| title = Scunthorpe 1–1 Stevenage
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16559436.stm
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 21 January 2012
| access-date = 25 January 2012}} and a 4–2 home victory against Milton Keynes Dons,{{cite news
| title = Stevenage 4–2 MK Dons
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/16589175.stm
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 24 January 2012
| access-date = 25 January 2012}} until the appointment of manager Gary Smith allowed Roberts to concentrate solely on his playing role.{{cite news
|title=Stevenage appoint Gary Smith as manager
|url=http://www.stevenagefc.com/page/LatestNewsDetail/0,,10839~2588007,00.html
|publisher=Stevenage F.C.
|date=25 January 2012
|access-date=25 January 2012
|url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120128121547/http://www.stevenagefc.com/page/LatestNewsDetail/0%2C%2C10839~2588007%2C00.html
|archive-date=28 January 2012
}} Roberts played every minute of Stevenage's 56 games during the season, scoring seven goals from defence, with the club losing out in the play-off semi-finals.{{cite news
| title = Sheffield United 1–0 Stevenage
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17980126
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 14 May 2012
| access-date = 20 May 2012}} Stevenage also progressed to the fifth round of the FA Cup that season, the furthest the club had reached in the competition; with Roberts playing in all six cup matches, including two matches against Tottenham Hotspur. He was also named as Stevenage's Player of the Year at the end of the season, becoming only the third player to win the award twice.{{Cite news
| title = Previous Winners
| url = http://www.sfcsa.co.uk/home/player-of-the-year/previous-winners
| publisher = Stevenage F.C. Supporters' Association
| access-date = 20 May 2012
| archive-date = 20 March 2011
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110320085654/http://www.sfcsa.co.uk/home/player-of-the-year/previous-winners
| url-status = dead
| title = SA End of Year Awards
| url = http://www.sfcsa.co.uk/home/2012/05/10/sa-end-of-year-awards/1127
| publisher = Stevenage F.C. Supporters' Association
| date = 10 May 2012
| access-date = 20 May 2012}}
File:MarkRobertsStevenagevsCrawley.png in March 2013]]
In the summer of 2012, Stevenage stated that they had rejected several transfer offers for Roberts, along with fellow Stevenage centre-back Jon Ashton, from League One club Doncaster Rovers.{{cite news
| title = Rovers fail with double swoop
| url = http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11734/7833362/Rovers-fail-with-double-swoop
| publisher = Sky Sports
| date = 21 June 2012
| access-date = 23 August 2012}}{{cite news
| title = Ashton & Roberts stay with Stevenage after Doncaster interest
| url = http://www.stevenagefc.com/news/article/roberts-and-ashton-to-stay-315459.aspx
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 16 August 2012
| access-date = 23 August 2012}} He captained the team in Stevenage's first game of the 2012–13 season, scoring the third goal in a 3–1 victory against AFC Wimbledon in the League Cup on 14 August 2012.{{Soccerbase season|38710|2012|name=Mark Roberts|access-date=7 September 2021}}{{cite news
| title = Stevenage 3–1 AFC Wimbledon
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19159762
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 14 August 2012
| access-date = 23 August 2012}} Two days after the game, Stevenage released a statement announcing they would not be selling Roberts during the season.{{cite news
| title = Roberts & Ashton statement
| url = http://www.stevenagefc.com/news/article/roberts-and-ashton-to-stay-315459.aspx
| publisher = Stevenage F.C.
| date = 16 August 2012
| access-date = 23 August 2012}} In February 2013, Roberts was one of three players shortlisted by the Football League for the Player in the Community award as a result of his work in the local community over the past few years.{{cite news
| title = Aspire – Stevenage FC
| url = http://www.thepfa.com/community/casestudies/aspire-stevenage-fc
| website = ThePFA.com
| date = 20 December 2012
| access-date = 15 April 2013
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130614031718/http://www.thepfa.com/community/casestudies/aspire-stevenage-fc
| archive-date = 14 June 2013
| url-status = dead
|title = Mark Roberts enjoys working in the community
|url = http://www.stevenagefc.com/news/article/mark-roberts-enjoys-working-in-the-commu-150890.aspx
|publisher = Stevenage F.C.
|date = 28 March 2012
|access-date = 15 April 2013
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160305125315/http://www.stevenagefc.com/news/article/mark-roberts-enjoys-working-in-the-commu-150890.aspx
|archive-date = 5 March 2016
|url-status = dead
|df = dmy-all
| title = Robbo rewarded for community work
| url = http://www.stevenagefc.com/news/article/mark-roberts-cpoty-667324.aspx
| publisher = Stevenage F.C.
| date = 20 February 2013
| access-date = 15 April 2013}} Following the departure of manager Gary Smith in March 2013, Roberts was again appointed as caretaker manager while the club searched for a new manager.{{cite news
| title = Smith leaves Stevenage
| url = http://www.stevenagefc.com/news/article/club-statement-gary-smith-725546.aspx
| publisher = Stevenage F.C.
| date = 20 March 2013
| access-date = 20 March 2013}} He managed the team for Stevenage's televised away match against Tranmere Rovers, which ended in a 3–1 defeat on 24 March 2013.{{cite news
| title = Tranmere 3–1 Stevenage
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21819809
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 24 March 2013
| access-date = 30 March 2013}} In Stevenage's next match, on 29 March 2013, Roberts scored a first-half header in a 1–1 away draw with Crawley Town, briefly giving Stevenage the lead with the team having to play with 10 men for most of the match following Miguel Comminges' early red card.{{cite news
| title = Crawley 1–1 Stevenage
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21892106
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 29 March 2013
| access-date = 30 March 2013}} In what was his last match in caretaker charge, Roberts stated he was "proud of the phenomenal performance".{{cite news
| title = Proud performance secures point
| url = http://www.stevenagefc.com/news/article/report-crawley-a-741634.aspx
| publisher = Stevenage F.C.
| date = 29 March 2013
| access-date = 30 March 2013}} A day later, Graham Westley was re-appointed as Stevenage manager, who brought Roberts to the club in 2008.{{cite news
| title = Graham Westley returns
| url = http://www.stevenagefc.com/news/article/graham-westley-returns-742181.aspx
| publisher = Stevenage F.C.
| date = 30 March 2013
| access-date = 30 March 2013}}{{cite news
| title = Graham Westley re-appointed as Stevenage manager
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21980915
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 30 March 2013
| access-date = 30 March 2013}} He played 48 times during the season, scoring four goals. During his four-and-a-half-year spell at Stevenage, Roberts made 239 appearances in all competitions, an appearance record that places him sixth on the club's all-time appearance list, and scored 27 goals.{{cite news
| title = Ash named captain as Robbo moves on
| url = http://www.stevenagefc.com/news/article/ashton-announced-new-captain-893426.aspx
| publisher = Stevenage F.C.
| date = 3 July 2013
| access-date = 3 July 2013}}
=Fleetwood Town=
Following the expiry of his contract at Stevenage, rejecting the club's offer of a new contract, Roberts signed for League Two club Fleetwood Town on a free transfer on 3 July 2013.{{cite news
| title = Roberts arrives at Highbury
| url = http://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/news/article/roberts-arrives-at-highbury-893414.aspx
| publisher = Fleetwood Town F.C.
| date = 3 July 2013
| access-date = 3 July 2013}}{{cite news
| title = Mark Roberts: Fleetwood Town sign Stevenage defender
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23171740
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 3 July 2013
| access-date = 3 July 2013}} On joining Fleetwood, Roberts stated – "I was massively impressed with this club from the first moment. Joining Fleetwood is an exciting prospect and I jumped at the chance after seeing the plans and hearing the chairman's vision". Shortly before the start of the 2013–14 season, Roberts was named as Fleetwood's new captain, stating it was a "massive honour to be named as club captain for the season".{{cite news
| title = Skipper's view – Dagenham
| url = http://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/news/article/skippers-view-dagenham-965069.aspx
| publisher = Fleetwood Town F.C.
| date = 3 August 2013
| access-date = 3 August 2013}} He scored six minutes into his Fleetwood debut, also the first League Two goal of the new season, with a header in a 3–1 home victory against Dagenham & Redbridge.{{Soccerbase season|38710|2013|name=Mark Roberts|access-date=7 September 2021}}{{cite news
| title = Fleetwood 3–1 Dag & Red
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23474873
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 3 August 2013
| access-date = 3 August 2013}} As a result of Fleetwood's fourth-place finish in League Two, the club competed in the League Two play-offs.{{cite news
| title = League Two table – 2013/2014 Season
| url = http://www.skysports.com/league-2-table/2013
| website = Sky Sports
| access-date = 29 October 2017}} Roberts played in all three matches, with the team keeping three consecutive clean sheets,{{cite news
| title = York City 0–1 Fleetwood Town
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27375914
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 12 May 2014
| access-date = 29 October 2017}}{{cite news
| title = Fleetwood Town 0–0 York City (Agg 1–0)
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27336703
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 16 May 2014
| access-date = 29 October 2017}} as Fleetwood won promotion to League One for the first time in the club's history after a 1–0 victory over Burton Albion at Wembley Stadium in the final.{{cite news
| title = Burton Albion 0–1 Fleetwood Town
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27465323
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 26 May 2014
| access-date = 29 October 2017}} Roberts made 45 appearances in all competitions during his first season with the club, scoring three goals.
He remained at Fleetwood for the club's first season in League One, starting the season playing a peripheral role, playing in just one match in the opening two months of the season.{{Soccerbase season|38710|2014|name=Mark Roberts|access-date=7 September 2021}}{{cite news
| title = Soccerway – Mark Roberts
| url = https://uk.soccerway.com/players/mark-roberts/36215/
| publisher = Soccerway
| access-date = 29 October 2017}} Roberts made his first league appearance of the season on 4 October 2014, playing the whole match as Fleetwood defeated Port Vale 1–0 at Highbury Stadium.{{cite news
| title = Fleetwood Town 1–0 Port Vale
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29388803
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 4 October 2014
| access-date = 29 October 2017}} After playing the whole 90 minutes in a 1–0 away victory at Yeovil Town, he was a regular in the starting line-up for the remainder of the season. On the final day of the regular season, he scored Fleetwood's second goal in the club's 2–1 victory against Port Vale on 3 May 2015, with Roberts scoring from a yard out after David Ball centred Josh Morris' cross.{{cite news
| title = Port Vale 1–2 Fleetwood Town
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32471121
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 3 May 2015
| access-date = 29 October 2017}} The game was Roberts' final game for Fleetwood, as the club consolidated their place in League One after finishing in 10th place.{{cite news
| title = League One table – 2014/2015 Season
| url = http://www.skysports.com/league-1-table/2014
| website = Sky Sports
| access-date = 29 October 2017}} He made 72 appearances for Fleetwood in all competitions over his two years with the club, scoring six times. Roberts was released by Fleetwood upon the expiry of his contract in May 2015, one of 14 first team players to be released, with Fleetwood manager Graham Alexander stating the club's "drive had shifted to focus on youth development".{{cite news
| title = Fleetwood Town facing major summer rebuild
| url = http://www.fleetwoodtoday.co.uk/sport/football/fleetwood-town-facing-major-summer-rebuild-1-7249869
| newspaper = Fleetwood News
| date = 7 May 2015
| access-date = 29 October 2017}}
=Cambridge United=
Roberts joined League Two club Cambridge United on 25 May 2015, signing a two-year deal.{{cite news
| title = Mark Roberts: Cambridge United sign veteran Fleetwood defender
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32875112
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 25 May 2015
| access-date = 29 October 2017}}{{cite news
| title = U's swoop to sign Mark Roberts on a two-year deal
| url = https://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/news/2015/may/us-swoop-to-sign-mark-roberts-on-a-two-year-deal/
| publisher = Cambridge United F.C.
| date = 25 May 2015
| access-date = 29 October 2017}} He was named as the club's captain, a position he had previously held at both Stevenage and Fleetwood Town. Roberts made his debut for Cambridge on the opening day of the 2015–16 season, playing the full 90 minutes as Cambridge defeated Newport County 3–0 at the Abbey Stadium.{{Soccerbase season|38710|2015|name=Mark Roberts|access-date=7 September 2021}}{{cite news
| title = Cambridge United 3–0 Newport County
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33744440
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 8 August 2015
| access-date = 29 October 2017}} He scored his first goal for the club in a 2–2 draw at York City on 3 October 2015, scoring from close range as Cambridge fought back from two goals down to earn a point.{{cite news
| title = York City 2–2 Cambridge United
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34366425
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 3 October 2015
| access-date = 29 October 2017}} A week later, Roberts was sent-off for violent conduct in Cambridge's 3–1 home defeat to Portsmouth.{{cite news
| title = Cambridge United 1–3 Portsmouth
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34431557
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 10 October 2015
| access-date = 29 October 2017}} He was a regular starter for Cambridge up until the end of January 2016, when he was dropped ahead of an away match at Leyton Orient.{{cite news
| title = Cambridge United: Mark Roberts takes captain change 'as a man'
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35492021
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 4 February 2016
| access-date = 29 October 2017}} He was subsequently replaced as captain by Luke Berry, with manager Shaun Derry stating "I've spoken to Mark and he's accepted it as a man. He'll respond in the right way because he's a leader of men". He made 34 appearances for Cambridge in his first season with the club, scoring twice.
Roberts remained at Cambridge for the 2016–17 season, making his first start a month into the new season, helping Cambridge earn their first victory of the season, 2–1 away at Newport County on 24 September 2016.{{Soccerbase season|38710|2016|name=Mark Roberts|access-date=7 September 2021}}{{cite news
| title = Newport County 1–2 Cambridge United
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37394542
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 24 September 2016
| access-date = 29 October 2017}} Three days later, he scored the only goal of the game from close range after 65 minutes in a 1–0 win against Yeovil Town.{{cite news
| title = Cambridge United 1–0 Yeovil Town
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37415104
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 27 September 2017
| access-date = 29 October 2017}} The victory meant Cambridge moved off the bottom of the league table. Roberts' return to the first team coincided with an upturn in form for the team and he remained a regular in the starting line-up for the following five months of the season. He scored his second goal of the season with a 92nd-minute equaliser in an eventual 4–2 extra-time FA Cup victory at Dover Athletic on 17 November 2016,{{cite news
| title = Dover Athletic 2–4 Cambridge United
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37904963
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 17 November 2016
| access-date = 29 October 2017}}{{cite news
| title = Cambridge United 1–2 Leeds United
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38486840
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 9 January 2017
| access-date = 29 October 2017}} with Roberts playing all four FA Cup games as Cambridge progressed to the third round and faced Leeds United. His third goal of the season was a 93rd-minute winning goal in a 3–2 victory over Newport County in February 2017, scoring from a rebound in a game Cambridge had trailed by two goals.{{cite news
| title = Cambridge United 3–2 Newport County
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38940317
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 18 February 2017
| access-date = 29 October 2017}} Roberts did not make an appearance beyond March 2017, and played 31 games during the season, scoring three times. At the end of the season, Cambridge announced their released and retained list, stating that Roberts had been placed on the transfer-list with a year remaining on his contract.{{cite news
| title = Cambridge United announce retain/released list
| url = https://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/news/2017/may/cambridge-united-announce-retainrelease-list/
| publisher = Cambridge United F.C.
| date = 10 May 2017
| access-date = 29 October 2017}} Having made no appearances for Cambridge in the opening weeks of the 2017–18 season, Roberts' contract with the club was cancelled by mutual consent on 24 August 2017.{{cite news
| title = Mark Roberts: Forest Green Rovers sign defender after Cambridge United exit
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41037905
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 24 August 2017
| access-date = 29 October 2017}}{{cite news
| title = Mark Roberts leaves Cambridge United by mutual consent
| url = https://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/news/2017/august/mark-roberts-leaves/
| publisher = Cambridge United F.C.
| date = 24 August 2017
| access-date = 29 October 2017}}
=Forest Green Rovers=
On the same day as his departure from Cambridge was announced, Roberts signed for fellow League Two club Forest Green Rovers on a one-year contract. He made his Forest Green debut on 26 August 2017, playing the whole match in a 5–1 away defeat to Colchester United.{{cite news
| title = Colchester United 5–1 Forest Green Rovers
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40983809
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 26 August 2017
| access-date = 29 October 2017}} Despite initially being a regular in the centre of defence for Forest Green, Roberts did not play in the first team from the start of 2018,{{Soccerbase season|38710|2017|name=Mark Roberts|access-date=29 October 2017}} his last appearance for the club coming in a 2–0 defeat to Yeovil Town in the Football League Trophy on 9 January 2018.{{cite news
| title = Yeovil Town 2–0 Forest Green Rovers
| url = http://www.skysports.com/football/yeovil-vs-forest-grn/386477
| publisher = Sky Sports
| date = 26 August 2017
| access-date = 8 May 2018}} Having not played first-team football for four months, Roberts left Forest Green upon the expiry of his contract in May 2018.{{cite news
| title = FGR announce retained list
| url = https://www.forestgreenroversfc.com/news/first-team-news/2018/fgr-announce-retained-list
| publisher = Forest Green Rovers F.C.
| date = 7 May 2018
| access-date = 8 May 2018}}{{cite news
| title = Forest Green Rovers: Isaiah Osbourne offered new deal as 12 players depart
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44030771
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 7 May 2018
| access-date = 9 May 2018}} He made 20 appearances during his time with Forest Green.
=Warrington Town=
Roberts joined Northern Premier League Premier Division club Warrington Town on a free transfer ahead of the 2018–19 season.{{cite news
| title = Warrington Town sign Mark Roberts and Jack Mackreth
| url = http://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/sport/16418763.warrington-town-sign-mark-roberts-and-jack-mackreth/
| newspaper = Warrington Guardian
| date = 15 August 2018
| access-date = 2 September 2018}}{{cite news
| title = A closer look at Warrington Town's squad for the 2018/19 season
| url = http://www.warringtontownfc.co.uk/news/post/a-closer-look-at-warrington-town--s-squad-for-the-2018-19-season
| publisher = Warrington Town F.C.
| date = 17 August 2018
| access-date = 2 September 2018}} He made his Warrington debut in the club's opening league match of the season, a 2–0 home defeat to Farsley Celtic.{{cite news
| title = Losing start for disappointing Yellows
| url = http://www.warringtontownfc.co.uk/news/post/losing-start-for-disappointing-yellows
| publisher = Warrington Town F.C.
| date = 18 August 2018
| access-date = 2 September 2018}} Roberts was appointed as club captain ahead of Warrington's next fixture away at Lancaster City, in what turned out to be their first victory of the season.{{cite news
| title = Yellows record first win at Lancaster
| url = http://www.warringtontownfc.co.uk/news/post/yellows-record-first-win-at-lancaster
| publisher = Warrington Town F.C.
| date = 21 August 2018
| access-date = 2 September 2018}} He scored his first goal for Warrington in the club's 3–3 draw with Nantwich Town on 23 February 2019.{{cite news
| title = Match Report: Warrington Town 3–3 Nantwich Town
| url = http://warringtontownfc.co.uk/fixtures/report/699
| publisher = Warrington Town F.C.
| date = 23 February 2019
| access-date = 11 May 2019}} Roberts played regularly throughout the season as Warrington finished the season in third place in the Northern Premier Division.{{cite news
| title = Warrington Town – Fixtures & Results – 2018–19
| url = http://www.warringtontownfc.co.uk/fixtures
| publisher = Warrington Town F.C.
| access-date = 7 October 2018}} He played in all of the club's three play-off fixtures, winning the Northern Premier Division play-offs,{{cite news
| title = Warrington Town win play-off final to set up promotion crunch at home
| url = https://www.warrington-worldwide.co.uk/2019/05/04/warrington-town-win-play-off-final-to-set-up-promotion-crunch-at-home/
| website = Warrington Worldwide
| date = 4 May 2019
| access-date = 7 May 2019}} before losing 3–2 after extra-time to King's Lynn Town in the step three super play-off final on 11 May 2019.{{cite news
| title = Match Report: Warrington Town 2–3 King's Lynn Town (AET)
| url = http://warringtontownfc.co.uk/news/post/match-report-warrington-town-2-3--aet-kings-lynn-town
| publisher = Warrington Town F.C.
| date = 11 May 2019
| access-date = 11 May 2019
| archive-date = 11 May 2019
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190511173051/http://warringtontownfc.co.uk/news/post/match-report-warrington-town-2-3--aet-kings-lynn-town
| url-status = dead
}} Roberts made 49 appearances during the season, scoring twice. He signed a one-year contract extension with Warrington on 24 May 2019.{{cite news
| title = Captain Roberts and striker Gray commit to Warrington Town
| url = http://www.warringtontownfc.co.uk/news/post/captain-roberts-and-striker-gray-commit-to-warrington-town
| publisher = Warrington Town F.C.
| date = 24 May 2019
| access-date = 22 June 2019}}
Roberts played regularly for Warrington during the 2019–20 and 2020–21 seasons, with both leagues seasons being curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite news
| title = Warrington Town – Fixtures & Results – 2019–20
| url = https://www.warringtontownfc.co.uk/news/
| publisher = Warrington Town F.C.
| access-date = 20 September 2020}}{{cite news
| title = Warrington Town – Fixtures & Results – 2020–21
| url = https://www.warringtontownfc.co.uk/fixtures/
| publisher = Warrington Town F.C.
| access-date = 20 September 2020}} Warrington were positioned in third and fourth place respectively in the Northern Premier League Premier Division in each season at the time of suspension. He signed a new one-year contract to remain at Warrington on 9 July 2021,{{cite news
| title = Captain Mark Roberts agrees new deal
| url = https://www.warringtontownfc.co.uk/captain-mark-roberts-agrees-new-deal/
| publisher = Warrington Town F.C.
| date = 9 July 2021
| access-date = 10 July 2021}} playing 47 times during the 2021–22 season as Warrington were defeated in the Northern Premier League play-off final at the end of that season.{{cite news
| title = Warrington Town – Appearances – Mark Roberts
| url = https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/warrington-town/appearances/2021-2022/mark-roberts/437647
| publisher = Football Web Pages
| access-date = 9 August 2022}} Roberts announced his retirement from playing on 20 June 2022.
Style of play
Described as a "commanding centre-back",{{cite news
| title = Warrington Town skipper Mark Roberts on the new season
| url = https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/sport/17838993.warrington-town-skipper-mark-roberts-new-season/
| newspaper = Warrington Guardian
| date = 16 August 2019
| access-date = 10 July 2021}} Roberts was deployed in central defence throughout his career. Appointed as club captain at Stevenage, Fleetwood, Cambridge United and Warrington, his leadership skills have been highlighted as one of his main strengths.{{cite news
| title = Roberts eager to make his Mark
| url = https://www.theleaguepaper.com/latest-news/football-league-division-two/359497/roberts-eager-to-make-mark/
| newspaper = The Football League Paper
| date = 18 November 2018
| access-date = 10 July 2021}}{{cite news
| title = Warrington Town defender Mark Roberts: I've a burning ambition and a winning formula
| url = https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/step-3/northern-premier-league/24555/warrington-town-defender-mark-roberts-ive-a-burning-ambition-and-a-winning-formula/
| newspaper = The Non-League Paper
| date = 21 November 2018
| access-date = 10 July 2021}} During his playing career, he was described as a "goalscoring threat" from set-pieces, having scored the majority of his goals from attacking free kick and corner kick set-pieces.
Personal life
Roberts studied professional sports writing and broadcasting at Staffordshire University, graduating in 2012.{{cite news
|title = GMF Exclusive with promotion-chasing Stevenage skipper
|url = http://www.givemefootball.com/league-two/gmf-exclusive-with-promotion-chasing-stevenage-ski
|publisher = Give Me Football
|date = 11 May 2011
|access-date = 11 May 2011
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110514190522/http://www.givemefootball.com/league-two/gmf-exclusive-with-promotion-chasing-stevenage-ski
|archive-date = 14 May 2011
|url-status = dead
|df = dmy-all
}} He continued his studies after graduating from university, gaining two further football-based business qualifications at the Sports Business Institute.{{cite news
| title = Mark Roberts discusses his transition from bootroom to boardroom
| url = https://sportcareers.co.uk/news.php?article=322
| website = Sports Careers
| date = 7 March 2018
| access-date = 18 March 2018}} Roberts has stated he has a keen interest in "what goes on behind the scenes" in football, particularity at boardroom level, gaining his ACGP accreditation after enrolling himself in a corporate governance programme. He completed a Master of Business Administration degree at the University of Salford in 2020, with the degree focussed on CEOs in sport.{{cite news
| title = Mark Roberts – Linkedin
| url = https://www.linkedin.com/in/markroberts6
| publisher = Linkedin
| access-date = 17 September 2018}} Roberts is a personal development mentor for League Football Education (LFE), where he is mentoring first-year apprentices at six professional clubs.
Career statistics
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|FA Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Other{{ref label|Other|A |
|---|
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="4"|Crewe Alexandra
|6||0||0||0||1||0||0||0||7||0
|-
|EFL Championship|Championship
|0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0
|-
|EFL Championship|Championship
|0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!6!!0!!0!!0!!1!!0!!0!!0!!7!!0
|-
|Leek Town (loan)
|NPL Division One
|10||2||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||10||2
|-
|Vauxhall Motors (loan)
| title = Player Details: Season 2003–2004
| url = http://www.soccerfactsuk.co.uk/s2003/player_details.php?playerid=5344
| publisher = SoccerFactsUK
| access-date = 22 July 2013}}
|NPL Premier Division
|19||3||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||19||3
|-
|Southport (loan)
|6||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||6||0
|-
|Chester City (loan)
|1||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||1||0
|-
{{Cite web
| title = Player Details: Season 2006–2007 – Mark Roberts
| url = http://www.soccerbase.com/squad_season.sd?teamid=1895
| publisher = SoccerFactsUK
| access-date = 22 July 2011
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20041021022132/http://www.soccerbase.com/squad_season.sd?teamid=1895
| archive-date = 21 October 2004
| url-status = dead
| df = dmy-all
}}
|Conference National
|23||1||0||0||colspan="2"|—||3||0||26||1
|-
|League Two
|34||0||1||0||1||0||1||0||37||0
|-
|rowspan="3"|Northwich Victoria
|Conference Premier
|9||1||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||9||1
|-
|Conference Premier
|20||1||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||20||1
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!29!!2!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!29!!2
|-
|rowspan="6"|Stevenage
| title = Stevenage Borough 2008-9: Results, rollcall and league table
| url = http://www.boroguide.co.uk/seasons/season.php?ID=0809
| website = BoroGuide
| access-date = 13 July 2016}}
|Conference Premier
|27||3||0||0||colspan="2"|—||7||2||34||5
|-
| title = Stevenage Borough 2009–10: Results, rollcall and league table
| url = http://www.boroguide.co.uk/seasons/season.php?ID=0910
| website = BoroGuide
| access-date = 13 July 2016}}
|Conference Premier
|37||4||2||0||colspan="2"|—||6||1||45||5
|-
|League Two
|43||5||5||0||1||0||4||0||53||5
|-
|46||6||6||0||1||0||3||1||56||7
|-
|League One
|44||2||1||0||2||1||1||1||48||4
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!197!!20!!14!!0!!4!!1!!21!!5!!236!!26
|-
|rowspan="3"|Fleetwood Town
|League Two
|33||3||3||0||1||0||7||0||44||3
|-
|League One
|27||3||0||0||0||0||1||0||28||3
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!60!!6!!3!!0!!1!!0!!8!!0!!72!!6
|-
|rowspan="3"|Cambridge United
|League Two
|30||2||2||0||1||0||1||0||34||2
|-
|League Two
|27||2||4||1||0||0||0||0||31||3
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!57!!4!!6!!1!!1!!0!!1!!0!!65!!5
|-
|League Two
|14||0||2||0||0||0||4||0||20||0
|-
|rowspan="5"|Warrington Town
|NPL Premier Division
|39||2||6||0||colspan="2"|—||4||0||49||2
|-
|NPL Premier Division
|31||5||4||2||colspan="2"|—||1||0||36||7
|-
|NPL Premier Division
|9||1||1||0||colspan="2"|—||2||0||12||1
|-
|NPL Premier Division
|40||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||5||0||47||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!119!!8!!13!!2!!0!!0!!12!!0!!144!!10
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!575!!46!!39!!3!!8!!1!!50!!5!!672!!55
|}
{{refbegin}}
:A. {{note|Other}} The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals in the FA Trophy, EFL Trophy, English Football League play-offs and Northern Premier League play-offs.
{{refend}}
Honours
Stevenage
- Football League Two play-offs: 2011
- Conference Premier: 2009–10
- FA Trophy: 2008–09; runner-up: 2009–10{{cite news|title=Barrow 2–1 Stevenage (aet) |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8633070.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=8 May 2010 |access-date=5 May 2019}}
Fleetwood Town
- Football League Two play-offs: 2014
Warrington Town
- Northern Premier League Premier Division play-offs: 2019
Individual
- Stevenage Player of the Year: 2008–09, 2011–12
- Conference Premier Team of the Year: 2008–09, 2009–10
- Conference Premier Player of the Month: April 2010{{Cite news
|title = Roberts named player of the month
|url = http://www.bluesqfootball.com/story/0,20970,13040_6162520,00.html
|publisher = Blue Square Premier
|date = 19 May 2010
|access-date = 19 June 2010
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100522161133/http://www.bluesqfootball.com/story/0,20970,13040_6162520,00.html
|archive-date = 22 May 2010
|url-status = dead
|df = dmy-all
}}
- Northern Premier League Premier Division Team of the Year: 2018–19{{cite news
| title = Evo-Stik League Premier Team
| url = https://twitter.com/evostikleague/status/1115148268684681216
| publisher = Evo-Stik Northern Premier League
| access-date = 8 April 2019}}{{cite news
| title = Warrington Town pair named in Evo-Stik team of the year
| url = https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/sport/17559442.warrington-town-pair-named-in-evo-stik-team-of-the-year/
| newspaper = Warrington Guardian
| date = 8 April 2019
| access-date = 8 April 2019}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Mark Roberts (footballer born 1983)}}
- {{soccerbase|id=38710|name=Mark Roberts}}
- {{soccerbase|id=43596|name=Mark Roberts}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = gold
| fg = navy
| list1 =
{{2009–10 Conference Premier Team of the Year}}
{{Stevenage F.C. Player of the Year}}
}}
{{Good article}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Roberts, Mark}}
Category:Alumni of Staffordshire University
Category:Alumni of the University of Salford
Category:Footballers from Northwich
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Crewe Alexandra F.C. players
Category:Leek Town F.C. players
Category:Vauxhall Motors F.C. players
Category:Southport F.C. players
Category:Chester City F.C. players
Category:Halifax Town A.F.C. players
Category:Northwich Victoria F.C. players
Category:Accrington Stanley F.C. players
Category:Stevenage F.C. players
Category:Fleetwood Town F.C. players
Category:Cambridge United F.C. players
Category:Forest Green Rovers F.C. players
Category:Warrington Town F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:Northern Premier League players
Category:English football managers
Category:Stevenage F.C. managers